Pilatus Aircraft is significantly scaling up its presence in the U.S. under an agreement to develop a “flagship” sales and service facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) in Florida. Long-term plans also include having an aircraft assembly plant at the location.
Under the agreement announced today, Pilatus will develop 17 acres on the north side of the airport, providing it an anchor in the Southeast U.S. and expanded presence in both North and South America.
Slated to open in mid-2026, the initial facility plans include 54,000 sq ft dedicated to maintenance, spare parts distribution, and new aircraft deliveries, plus 17,000 sq ft of workshops, office, and administrative space. The customer service center is anticipated to initially employ more than 50 people to manage aircraft sales, service, design, and delivery of Pilatus aircraft in the Southeast.
However, plans also call for the eventual development of a final assembly facility for aircraft destined for customers in North and South America. This would bring employment at the location to 300, Pilatus added.
"We are very excited to take this significant growth step to support our customers with an outstanding ownership experience,” said Thomas Bosshard, president and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft.
Justin Lazzeri, CEO of Pilatus’ sales and service center for the U.S. East Coast, added: "Our new facility in Bradenton will be a showcase for ‘Pilatus Class’ sales and service, and will be a flagship store that will serve as a model for our global network of authorized Pilatus sales and service centers."
The plans involve an investment of “tens of millions of dollars” in facility development, according to Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of KSRQ. “This agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic development not only of the airport but also the region.”
Pilatus noted that the Florida and the U.S. East Coast account for the highest concentration of Pilatus aircraft operations, sales, and service activity worldwide with more than 6,200 flight operations conducted in 2022 in Florida alone. The OEM added that the development is part of its strategy to build up support for its growing fleet of more than 2,250 Pilatus aircraft already based in North and South America.
Lessons learned surrounding the design of the facility and customer experience best practices will be shared through the Pilatus authorized sales and service centers to provide a consistent experience worldwide.